Magic, Memories and..... MCSPARKELSONS! A Christmas Grand Gathering! Update 5/1

[JKSWonder]

Yay Kara! I've been having SEVERE WDW withdrawal, especially this month (we love going first week of December, but it was not to be this year) so this trip report is coming at the perfect time for me. Which, of course, I know was your only consideration in doing it, right?

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Very excited to read your report! We are staying at the Boardwalk for the first time in May after our Disney Cruise and can not wait!

 

[stinksmom]

I'm so glad you started your trip report! Can't wait to hear about the fireworks goodvibes

 

[NMW]

Subscribing

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I go out of town & miss the initial posting of your new TR!! Well, now I'm here & signing on! Let the fun begin.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I went back to read and got lost

I'm impressed by all the beeping! Maybe that's what's wrong with RoadRunner "Meep! Meep!" I'm glad your check in was fun and smooth - not such a bad standard view either

 

[karajeboo]

Yay Kara! I've been having SEVERE WDW withdrawal, especially this month (we love going first week of December, but it was not to be this year) so this trip report is coming at the perfect time for me. Which, of course, I know was your only consideration in doing it, right?

This is EXACTLY why I'm doing it!

Very excited to read your report! We are staying at the Boardwalk for the first time in May after our Disney Cruise and can not wait!

You will LOVE it!!! It's so beautiful inside, and the location can't be beat!!! We walked to Epcot AND DHS, we took boats to Epcot and DHS, and then we'd get into Epcot and monorail to MK. It's wonderful!

I'm so glad you started your trip report! Can't wait to hear about the fireworks goodvibes

Not nearly as many as I thought there would be, but of course, there's always a few with family....

Subscribing

Get ready....

I go out of town & miss the initial posting of your new TR!! Well, now I'm here & signing on! Let the fun begin.

Oh Mother of Wicket you are here!!! Forty lashes for not getting on the first page though!

I went back to read and got lost

I'm impressed by all the beeping! Maybe that's what's wrong with RoadRunner "Meep! Meep!" I'm glad your check in was fun and smooth - not such a bad standard view either

I'm a road runner in my new car!!!! Ally has named it "Button" because of all the buttons even in the back seat, but we may need to change the name when it comes back from the shop.... yes, already in the shop to get a couple of door dings out, getting it detailed, and just making her all purty......

 

[karajeboo]

Now here I thought I did such a great job packing this trip. We did not have a ton of little bags floating around the car, but we DID have a big Rubbermaid tub, a HUGE suitcase (the kind that does NOT fit under a bed…..), a medium suitcase, a laptop bag, a camera backpack, and two “beach” style bags filled with, well, the usual…. Junk! The stuff that I just KNOW I will need for the trip, but end up never even unpacking…..

So I felt for the ding dong (isn’t that what one is called who works for BELL services?) who hauled all our stuff upstairs. But he was there in a matter of minutes, followed closely by Jeff who had parked the car and followed him up. I unpacked us all, stored the bags alongside the bed, and off we went.
Because it was time. Time for vacation to begin!

I had been texting and talking to Kami the whole time driving. They were just a few hours ahead of us and were already in the parks by now. We chose NOT to add to our tickets for this day, because there is so much to explore along the boardwalk, and Gma and Gpa wouldn’t be getting in before 5 anyway, so we thought we’d just relax and enjoy the resort this first day.

And now it was time to “relax” and “enjoy” the resort.

McSparkleson style.

Hey, it's 5:00 somewhere, right?

My first new friend of the trip. She knows when someone is starting their vacation..... This was the seasonal Caramel Apple Margarita.... and I do NOT recommend it. Unless you want a serious sugar high......

Now, is this the picture of vacation or what????

It was a bit overcast and humid, but the temps were just right. I mean, it's December!!!!

Seashore Sweets - YUMMMM!

Some glazed almonds for Ally, and of course the recipe came home with us and there are almonds in the pantry just WAITING on some McSparkleson love!

Checking out the resort a bit.....

One of the quiet pools....

By now we were tired of wandering. We were waiting for this vacation to begin and that meant THE call from Gpa....

"The Eagles have landed....."

Grandma and Grandpa are at the airport!!!!

 

[JKSWonder]

Hey, it's 5:00 somewhere, right?

Absolutely!

My first new friend of the trip. She knows when someone is starting their vacation..... This was the seasonal Caramel Apple Margarita.... and I do NOT recommend it. Unless you want a serious sugar high......

Shoot! And I had such high hopes for it after I saw it listed on the photo of that sign in Ellen's trip report. I trust your judgment. If you think it's too sweet, I bet I would too.

 

[karajeboo]

 

[MAGICFOR2]

[/Quote] I'm a road runner in my new car!!!! Ally has named it "Button" because of all the buttons even in the back seat, but we may need to change the name when it comes back from the shop.... yes, already in the shop to get a couple of door dings out, getting it detailed, and just making her all purty......[/QUOTE]

Sounds nice. I'll bet Button was good entertainment for Ally on the trip!

 

[MEK]

Your room view is excellent. What floor where you on?

After see all your BW pictures I absolutely can't wait to stay there this summer. It's the last on my list of DVC resorts here on the east coast (that's right - I have managed to stay at all the others) and I hope it is going to be one of my favorites as well.

Our first couple days there were exactly the same weather - perfect temps but cloudy skies. I think it was actually cold and sunny on Sunday and the Monday (the day we left - BUT not until 5pm) was GORGEOUS!!!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Shoot! And I had such high hopes for it after I saw it listed on the photo of that sign in Ellen's trip report. I trust your judgment. If you think it's too sweet, I bet I would too.

SOOOOO sweet! But then, what was I thinking? I think a plain margarita is sweet!

Sounds nice. I'll bet Button was good entertainment for Ally on the trip!

Yup, she was fiddling and playing the whole trip!

Your room view is excellent. What floor where you on?

After see all your BW pictures I absolutely can't wait to stay there this summer. It's the last on my list of DVC resorts here on the east coast (that's right - I have managed to stay at all the others) and I hope it is going to be one of my favorites as well.

Our first couple days there were exactly the same weather - perfect temps but cloudy skies. I think it was actually cold and sunny on Sunday and the Monday (the day we left - BUT not until 5pm) was GORGEOUS!!!!!!

We were on the 4th floor.... It was really nice! Loved watching Illuminations fireworks almost every night! That is one nice thing about this time of year - it gets dark so early that Illuminations was the latest nighttime entertainment each night, so we were usually home from the other parks in time to see it from our room!

 

[karajeboo]

I was so excited, even though I knew that Grandma and Grandpa still had quite some time before they would arrive at the resort.

Disney's Magical Express does a great job of getting guests from the airport to their resorts in record time, but when you are sitting there twiddling your thumbs, waiting, they can't get their soon enough!!!!

So we continued our stroll along the Boardwalk....

Strolling Along the Boardwalk - VIDEO!

Despite the overcast day, the temps were wonderful!!! We were able to wear shorts all week long!

After a few minutes and not hearing from Grandpa, I texted him and he came right back letting me know they were already on DME!!!

So I asked him where they were headed first. And he immediately came back with an answer, which leads me to believe that he was chatting up the driver the whole time. After all, my dad has NEVER met a stranger!

I'm guessing the ride from the airport went something like this....

Gpa: This is really something. How many busses does Disney have running to the airport?
Driver: XXXXXX
Gpa: REALLY? Well, isn't that something.....
Gpa: About how far of a drive is it.
Driver: XXXXXX
Gpa: And you say XXXX times a day? Well, isn't that something..... You know, my wife and I haven't been here in, what? (looks at Grandma for help) 30 years?
Driver: Really?
Gpa: Yes, our kids and grandkids are taking us for our anniversary. See our shirts? Our favorite daughter Kara made them for us. But don't tell our other daughter, Kami, cause we like her too. Just not as much.
Driver: Well, isn't that something.....

Anyway, pretty soon Grandpa texted me that they were heading to Yacht and Beach Club first, then to Boardwalk. And the next thing you know, I get a text that they are AT Beach Club!

So Ally and I were soooo excited that we raced inside to wait for them. We went ahead and got Grandma's wheelchair that we reserved ahead of time, and it was waiting for us in Bell Services.....

And I HIGHLY recommend Walker Mobility for renting wheelchairs!!!! So easy to deal with and it was there right on time! I think Jeff would recommend Walker Mobility, too, but for other reasons that shall be divulged soon......

While waiting for DME to show up, Jeff was taking lots of video of the resort....

Here we are anxiously racing through to the portico to wait!

Boardwalk Lobby - VIDEO!

More Boardwalk Lobby - VIDEO!

Are they here yet???

Pretty soon, we see it! The big beautiful DME bus!!!! It pulls into the driveway, we stand up waiting to see Grandma and Grandpa, and the door opens......

We stand there and wave, knowing that Grandma and Grandpa are sitting up front and about to come down the steps and we see.....

The driver. He gets out, and announces...... "Anyone going to the airport? Pick up only!"

WHAT?????

I think he must be joking. Because it was not even 10 minutes ago that Grandpa said they were at Beach Club. The driver chuckles and tells me that he's been blocking that bus every stop he's been making. Really? And that humors me HOW????

So I try to explain to him that he needs to move his big ole bus because Grandma and Grandpa are coming! Then he turns and points at the ugly ole Mears bus that is pulling in and says, "They should be on there......"

And if you listen, you can hear me "chewing him out" for blocking Grandma and Grandpa's bus!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Arrive 1 - VIDEO!

Needless to say, we deleted the video we took of the DME bus pullling in......

Because THIS was the important bus, carrying very special guests!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Arrive - 2 - VIDEO!

This was one VERY excited little girl!!!!

Now you may hear us refer to this trip as VTR (and it's always followed by a fist bump, cause that's our signature for this trip) and it will be fully explained by the end of this TR..... so as Barney Stinson (who we saw in Epcot on this trip) would say..... "wait for it!"

Now where in the world is Kami???? The favorite daughter, son in law, and grandchild were waiting at the resort. Need I say more? Hmmmm??????

 

[emser]

The McSparkleson's might be checking out the resort, but the Wittiers (thanks Tammie ) are off and running in the parks!!

We arrived about 11:00 on Saturday after staying the night in St Augustine.

I love that sign!!! It get's the BIG pic!!!

Now I approach the room thing differently than KJ. I arrive and unpack toiletries, but we live out of our suitcases. (No room pics necessary - KJ covered that! Ours looked the same, just a few extra halls away from the lobby!!) But I do need to post pics of the view - Amazing!!!!!

While putting the kitchen items away, I realized the trash was still full, so we had to wait on housekeeping to empty that. (Something about us and rooms not being fully cleaned at Disney!) But it was just the trash... So off we went!!!

We headed to Epcot - and look, there's a boat pulling up just for us!!!

(No, seriously...I asked. The captain said he was there just for us! Cast members don't lie!)

Se we hopped on (not realizing we could have walked there quicker) but no problem. We walked in and headed towards the front of the park. Wait times - nothing more than 20 minutes, except Test Track. So we grabbed our Fastpasses and conquered the front of the park, except Innovations, which we avoid like the plague!

The most important stop - FIGMENT!!!!!!!!

Then the boys played a while.

What's this?? The eagle has landed?!? Time to head back to BW! (Yeah, we walked this time!)

Wait - who's this? Hi Donald!!

Ole!!!

So we met in the lobby (didn't I just see all you people on Thanksgiving?!?) and head off for a drink in the lounge!

It's official!!! We are all here - look out WDW!!! After dinner at ESPN, it is time to rest up for the week....who knows what adventures will unfold when this crew gets together!!!

 

[kid-at-heart]

I was so excited... After all, my dad has NEVER met a stranger!

I'm guessing the ride from the airport went something like this....

Gpa: This is really something. How many busses does Disney have running to the airport?
Driver: XXXXXX
Gpa: REALLY? Well, isn't that something.....
Gpa: About how far of a drive is it.
Driver: XXXXXX
Gpa: And you say XXXX times a day? Well, isn't that something..... You know, my wife and I haven't been here in, what? (looks at Grandma for help) 30 years?
Driver: Really?
Gpa: Yes, our kids and grandkids are taking us for our anniversary. See our shirts? Our favorite daughter Kara made them for us. But don't tell our other daughter, Kami, cause we like her too. Just not as much.
Driver: Well, isn't that something.....

...

Grandma and Grandpa Arrive - 2 - VIDEO!
...

Now where in the world is Kami????

Kara, like your Dad, I suspect you have never met a stranger either.

Your mom reminds me of you, the way she “ta’da” getting off the bus.

The McSparkleson's might be checking out the resort, but the Wittiers (thanks Tammie ) are off and running in the parks!!

We arrived about 11:00 on Saturday after staying the night in St Augustine.

Hi Kami!

kate

 

[karajeboo]

Your room view is excellent. What floor where you on?

After see all your BW pictures I absolutely can't wait to stay there this summer. It's the last on my list of DVC resorts here on the east coast (that's right - I have managed to stay at all the others) and I hope it is going to be one of my favorites as well.

Our first couple days there were exactly the same weather - perfect temps but cloudy skies. I think it was actually cold and sunny on Sunday and the Monday (the day we left - BUT not until 5pm) was GORGEOUS!!!!!!

The view was nice and for $110/night it couldn't be beat! But I did love the BW view we had on our DISmoms trip in May..... THAT was an awesome view!

 

[rndmr2]

Found your new TR today, glad to see you started it! I enjoyed your cruise TR so I am looking forward to reading about this trip, looks like you had a great start so far! I had to LOL at your dad forgetting to help your mom out of the bus, he just couldn't wait to hug his granddaughter!

 

[jmskinner]

As always, loving your TR. I was tearing up watching the excitement of Grandpa and Grandma getting off the bus.

Kami, love that you rode Figment first!

 

[karajeboo]

Kara, like your Dad, I suspect you have never met a stranger either.

Your mom reminds me of you, the way she “ta’da” getting off the bus.

Yes, I am truly my father's daughter.... in so many ways it scares people!

Found your new TR today, glad to see you started it! I enjoyed your cruise TR so I am looking forward to reading about this trip, looks like you had a great start so far! I had to LOL at your dad forgetting to help your mom out of the bus, he just couldn't wait to hug his granddaughter!

Ally is such a grandma's girl!!! As for my dad forgetting my mom? Typical! Thats why I laughed so hard!!!!

As always, loving your TR. I was tearing up watching the excitement of Grandpa and Grandma getting off the bus.

Kami, love that you rode Figment first!

It was so special Melissa.... just wait until you see them leaving!!! The waterworks were on full force for that one!!!